Journal of Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology (JONSAT)
In cooperation with the Iranian Nuclear Society

Investigation of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ferritic/Martensitic Steels Used in Fission and Fusion Reactors

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

H Foratirad
A Nozad
Abstract
A dramatic increase in the world-wide demand for energy requires to design nuclear reactors with high efficiency. The requirement for a high efficiency reactor necessitates using high pressure and high temperature designs. Because of the high temperature operation in the new generation of nuclear power reactors, ferritic/martensitic steel is unanimously considered to be the most suitable metal for the reactor design. In this research, by melting in a induced furnace, ferritic/martensitic steel was produced and then the micro-structures of the sed were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanical properties of these types of steel at different temperatures were investigated with the tensile and impact tests. The fractography investigation has also been conducted with the SEM. The results showed that in the As-cast form, the structure involves binate ferrites that after the heat treatment change to the martensitic structure. The maximum hardness was obtained in the quenched and normalized conditions. The mechanical properties in the NT form are better than the QT form. The ductility in these types of steel reduces by increasing temperature up to 400˚C, and then it improves by increasing the temperature.

Highlights

  1. R.L. Klueh, “Elevated temperature ferritic and martensitic steels and their application to future nuclear reactors,” Materials Science and Technology, Vol. 50, 287-310 (2005).

     

  2. R.L. Klueh and A.T. Nelson, “Ferritic/martensitic steels for next-generation reactors,” Journal of Nuclear Materials, Vol. 371, 37-52 (2007).

 

  1. R.L. Klueh, “Heat treatment behavior and tensile properties of Cr-W steels,” Metallurgical Transactions A, Vol. 20A, 463-470 (1989).

 

  1. R.L. Klueh, D.J. Alexander, P.J. Maziasz, “Impact behavior of reduced-activation ferritic steels irradiated in the Fast Flux Tests Facility,” Journal of Nuclear Materials, Vol. 186, 185-195 (1992).

 

  1. R.L. Klueh, D.J. Alexander, E.K. Kenik, “Development of low-chromium, chromium-tungsten steels for fusion,” Journal of Nuclear Materials, Vol. 227, 11-23 (1995).

 

  1. ASTM A387: Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, Chromium-Molybdenum.

 

  1. R.L. Klueh, “Elevated temperature ferritic and martensitic steels and their application to future nuclear reactors,” Materials Science and Technology, Vol. 50, 287-310 (2005).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. R.L. Klueh, “Heat treatment behavior and tensile properties of Cr-W steels,” Journal of Nuclear Materials, Vol. 371, 37-52 (2007).

 

  1. Fujio Abe, “Precipitate desighn for creep strengthening of 9% Cr tempered martensitic steel for ultra-supercritical power plants,” Science and Technology of Advanced Materials, Vol. 9, 1-15 (2008).

 

  1. M. Igarashi, S. Muneki, H. Hasegawa, K. Yamada, F. Abe, “Creep deformation and the corresponding microstructural evolution in high-Cr ferritic steels,” ISIJ International, Vol. 41, 101-105 (2001).

 

  1. Vaclav Foldyna, Jaroslav Purmensky, and Zdenek Kubon, “Development of advanced chromium steels with respect to microstructure and structural stability,” ISIJ International, 81-85 (2001).

 

  1. K. Sawada, M. Taneike, K. Kimura, F. Abe, “Effect of nitrogen content on microstructural aspects and creep behavior in extremely low carbon 9Cr heat-resistant steel,” ISIJ International, Vol. 44, 1243-1249 (2004).

 

  1. K. Yamada, M. Igarashi, S. Muneki, F. Abe, “Creep properties affected by morphology of MX in high-Cr ferritic steels,” ISIJ International, Vol. 41, 116-120 (2001).

Keywords

Ferritic- Martensitic Steels
Microstructure
Binate Ferrites
Fractography

  1. R.L. Klueh, “Elevated temperature ferritic and martensitic steels and their application to future nuclear reactors,” Materials Science and Technology, Vol. 50, 287-310 (2005).

     

  2. R.L. Klueh and A.T. Nelson, “Ferritic/martensitic steels for next-generation reactors,” Journal of Nuclear Materials, Vol. 371, 37-52 (2007).

 

  1. R.L. Klueh, “Heat treatment behavior and tensile properties of Cr-W steels,” Metallurgical Transactions A, Vol. 20A, 463-470 (1989).

 

  1. R.L. Klueh, D.J. Alexander, P.J. Maziasz, “Impact behavior of reduced-activation ferritic steels irradiated in the Fast Flux Tests Facility,” Journal of Nuclear Materials, Vol. 186, 185-195 (1992).

 

  1. R.L. Klueh, D.J. Alexander, E.K. Kenik, “Development of low-chromium, chromium-tungsten steels for fusion,” Journal of Nuclear Materials, Vol. 227, 11-23 (1995).

 

  1. ASTM A387: Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Alloy Steel, Chromium-Molybdenum.

 

  1. R.L. Klueh, “Elevated temperature ferritic and martensitic steels and their application to future nuclear reactors,” Materials Science and Technology, Vol. 50, 287-310 (2005).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. R.L. Klueh, “Heat treatment behavior and tensile properties of Cr-W steels,” Journal of Nuclear Materials, Vol. 371, 37-52 (2007).

 

  1. Fujio Abe, “Precipitate desighn for creep strengthening of 9% Cr tempered martensitic steel for ultra-supercritical power plants,” Science and Technology of Advanced Materials, Vol. 9, 1-15 (2008).

 

  1. M. Igarashi, S. Muneki, H. Hasegawa, K. Yamada, F. Abe, “Creep deformation and the corresponding microstructural evolution in high-Cr ferritic steels,” ISIJ International, Vol. 41, 101-105 (2001).

 

  1. Vaclav Foldyna, Jaroslav Purmensky, and Zdenek Kubon, “Development of advanced chromium steels with respect to microstructure and structural stability,” ISIJ International, 81-85 (2001).

 

  1. K. Sawada, M. Taneike, K. Kimura, F. Abe, “Effect of nitrogen content on microstructural aspects and creep behavior in extremely low carbon 9Cr heat-resistant steel,” ISIJ International, Vol. 44, 1243-1249 (2004).

 

  1. K. Yamada, M. Igarashi, S. Muneki, F. Abe, “Creep properties affected by morphology of MX in high-Cr ferritic steels,” ISIJ International, Vol. 41, 116-120 (2001).

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